The Reaction: Reading 2 Blues 0

Lee Clark and Darren Randolph give their thoughts following the defeat at the Madejski Stadium.

Lee Clark on Danny Guthrie's brace...

"The difference between the two teams was two quality set plays. We knew before the game because I came to watch Reading last week and the one thing I was stressing to the players was to not give away cheap fouls to give Guthrie the opportunity to deliver the quality he has on the ball.

"Sometimes you've got to realise the quality that's delivered. With the second goal. my 'keeper's made a valiant attempt but it's hit the post and gone in and when you deliver a ball like he did for the first one, it's difficult to defend. My defenders, when I've looked at it, are in good positions but it has just been delivered with such pace that sometimes you've just got to hold your hand up and say well done to the man who's doing that."

Clark on the game overall...

"There was no difference between the two teams in the quality of passing and the amount of chances that we created and we, in terms of the second-half, probably had the lion's share of the play but without possessing that quality in the final third to get a goal we're not going to get back in the game.

"During the course of the game, we've more than competed but I just think the story of the game was in the final thirds, they were more clinical. We had good situations and didn't make the most of them."

Clark taking positives from the performance...

"The general performance, the attitude and application of the players were spot on. We're trying to pass the ball and I just believe that in that final third it comes down to decision making and getting a bit of quality and composure at times.

"If we get that sorted then we'll turn games like this into wins."

Darren Randolph is already putting this defeat behind him...

"I don't think we played terrible today and thankfully we've got a game on Tuesday at home and then another at St. Andrew's on Saturday and two wins could set us up nicely going into the international break.

"Our momentum hasn't been halted by this result. We knew we were never going to go on winning forever, it was always going to come to an end but we didn't play badly today.

"The next two home games are massive. Two games that are against teams in and around us, that could at least give us a bit of breathing space from a few of the other teams before we play those in the top half of the table."

Sometimes you've just got to hold your hand up and say well done to the man who's doing that.